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Deutsche Welle

Germany 1- 2 Czech Republic

The last matches in the so-called "Group of Death" were all about the last quarter-final place. The Czechs had already won Group D and Germany were guaranteed to progress if they could beat them in Lisbon.

Czech Republic coach Karel Bruckner opted to rest several key players, with an eye on the quarter-final clash with Denmark on June 27. Pavel Nedved, Tomas Rosicky, Jan Koller and Milan Baros were just four of a total of nine changes in the Czech line-up.

Rudi Völler gave Bastian Schweinsteiger his first start of Euro 2004 but continued to stick with Kevin Kuranyi alone up front despite the striker's current drought and the need for Germany to go for the win.

Germany started the game nervously against the Czech B team and were nearly punished for their over caution as early as the fourth minute when a dangerous free-kick caused confusion in the German defense and Martin Jiranek missed the tap-in under pressure, leaving Kahn to safely gather the ball.

Three minutes later and it was Michael Ballack who was ruefully looking at a missed opportunity. Schweinsteiger showed the pace that had won him a starting place by getting to the goal line and cutting a high cross into the box. Ballack's glancing header whipped wide when more contact would have caused Blazek serious problems.

The Republic's reserves quickly recovered from their early scare and settled into their stride. Jaroslav Plasil showed Philipp Lahm a clean pair of heels and skipped past another challenge but failed to beat the third defender. Plasil was upended by Nowotny and won his side a free-kick in a dangerous position. The resultant shot was high and wide but the Czechs had decalred their intentions.

Despite a number of half chances, there was little rhythm in the first 20 minutes with neither side willing to grab the game by the scruff of the neck.

Michael Ballack, given the responsibility of firing the Germans' attacking options, nearly caught Blazek out with a deflected shot that dipped just over the bar. But a minute later, a smart knock-down by Schweinsteiger set up a beautifully hit half-volley from Ballack that rifled past the despairing keeper and high into the roof of the net from the edge of the area. Germany were in front.

News of a Ruud Van Nistlerooy penalty putting the Dutch 1-0 up floated through to the stadium as Marek Heinz lined up a free-kick for the Czechs on 27 minutes. The resultant curling effort flew high past Oliver Kahn and into the roof of the net to equalize. Once more, the scenario shifted, putting Germany in third place in Group D.

Germany's game seemed to go to pot for a few minutes after the equalizer with a wild challenge earning Jens Nowotny a yellow card and manic gesticulations from every German as Schweinsteiger went down on the edge of the Czech penalty area while Kuranyi openly expressed his frustration as three defenders surrounded him without a team mate in sight. Composure was needed as Germany threatened to combust.

The break came just in time for Germany; time to re-group and plot a second half which would need more invention and execution.

Rudi Völler judged that this would come better from Lukas Poldolski than Thorsten Frings as he brought on the 19-year-old who the German nation had been calling for. But Podolski's introduction was almost overshadowed by a second Czech goal with 2 minutes of the restart.

Huebschman delivered a brilliant cross which Lokvenc steered goalwards. His shot lacked the pace needed to beat Kahn, who gratefully smothered the ball.

The Germans soon woke up and Podolski was in the thick of things, feeding the attack. Bernd Schneider almost benefited from the youngster's vision on the edge of the box but his attempted lob was palmed over the bar by Blazek.

Germany continued to press with Ballack again getting into a strikers position to latch onto a cross in the penalty area on 55 minutes. His header again lacked the necessary purchase and the flicked effort sailed away from its intended target.

In an attempt to break the Germans rhythm and to maybe grab a third victory from the group phase, the Czechs brought on in-form striker Milan Baros on the half hour mark.

The Germans continued to send in high crosses which Blazek gratefully received time and time again without trouble as Germany searched for the second goal. It nearly came on 65 minutes when Ballack drifted inside and unleashed a vicious shot which cannoned off the post and into the path of Bernd Schneider. With Blazek struggling to fill the gaping goal, Schneider hit the shot straight into the diving keeper's flying fists.

The Germans were encamped around the Czech penalty box as the killer ball eluded them. Time and time again, the pressure came to nothing but still the Germans turned the screw. Lahm sent in another whizzing cross for Schneider to flash a header wide when a more considered attempt on goal would surely have given Germany the lead.

Podolski almost created headlines minutes later when he weaved into the six-yard box and whacked a close range effort at Blazek. The ensuing melee involved legs and arms flying in all directions but the ball was eventually cleared and the chance went with it.

And then the game and the tournament looked to have gone too. Milan Baros tore through the German defense and although Kahn saved the first effort, the ball squeezed under the Germany captain into the striker's path and Baros quickly switched feet and slotted home the Czech Republic's second goal to break German hearts.

Miroslav Klose came on to give Germany three attackers with two goals the target in 12 minutes. But the change looked to have come too late. The Czechs looked increasingly lively as the clock ticked on.

Germany's hope were ebbing away as they looked set to join the Italians and Spanish as the big name casualties of the opening stages. The final whistle confirmed the fears of a nation -- Germany were out.

Germany: Kahn, Friedrich, Woerns, Nowotny, Lahm, Frings, Hamann, Scheider, Schweinsteiger, Ballack, Kuranyi.

Czech Republic: Blazek, Mares, Rozehnal, Bolf, Jiranek, Plasil, Tyce, Galasek, Vachousek, Heinz, Lokvenc.

Referee: Terje Hauge (Norway)